Oklahoma issues guidelines for entities to paint Route 66 shield on pavement

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently issued pavement-marking guidelines for cities and counties along Route 66 before the highway’s centennial in 2026. According to an ODOT news release posted by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the guidance came after several entities requested it. The 21-foot by 8-foot black and white markings will be approved by … Continue reading Oklahoma issues guidelines for entities to paint Route 66 shield on pavement

Grants mayor vows to let nonessential stores open despite governor’s order

The mayor of the Route 66 town of Grants, New Mexico, said he would let non-essential stores reopen Monday, flouting the governor’s order to close them until mid-May because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press reported: Grants Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks said he’s giving businesses permission to reopen on Monday and is ordering … Continue reading Grants mayor vows to let nonessential stores open despite governor’s order

Report: Route 66 Historic Trail legislation to be introduced this fall

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership on Saturday released its third-quarter report. Among the newsworthy items is the organization expects congressional legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail to be introduced this fall. The measure would be House Bill 801, “tentatively” scheduled to be introduced in the coming weeks. The report stated: … Continue reading Report: Route 66 Historic Trail legislation to be introduced this fall

End of an era: Yahoo! will scale back Route 66 group

Yahoo! recently announced it will stop allowing uploads of content on all its Yahoo Groups — including the once-seminal and 20-year-old Route 66 group — on Oct. 28 and remove all uploaded content in mid-December. One of the group’s longtime members and moderators, Mike Ward, passed along the news Monday and posted a Yahoo link … Continue reading End of an era: Yahoo! will scale back Route 66 group

The capital of Route 66 is …

I think you can describe it as a landslide. Readers during a weeklong online poll overwhelmingly voted Tulsa the capital of Route 66. More than 320 people voted, and Tulsa gathered 194 votes (which included four write-ins) for almost 60 percent support. Tulsa boasts a lot going for it in making its case. It was … Continue reading The capital of Route 66 is …

What is the capital of Route 66?

Tulsa World newspaper columnist John Klein a few days ago wrote an essay with this provocative title: “Tulsa is already the heart of Route 66. Soon it will also be the capital of the Mother Road.” Klein lays out his case with quotes from Route 66 Alliance officers Michael Wallis and Ken Busby, who hope … Continue reading What is the capital of Route 66?

Lebanon, Lacede County in Missouri launches new website

The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society of Missouri launched a new, comprehensive website this week. The website is here. According to a news release: You’ll find up-to-date news about Route 66 activities in “Today’s 66,” with historical articles and photos under “Yesterday’s 66.” Other sections are devoted to historic maps, the Lebanon Route 66 Festival, … Continue reading Lebanon, Lacede County in Missouri launches new website

Readers vote Nat King Cole as recording the best version of “Route 66”

A little more than a year ago, I posted a story and online readers poll about the many versions of “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” over the decades. I promised a follow-up on the top vote-getter within a week or so. Then, I promptly forgot about it … for more than a year. The … Continue reading Readers vote Nat King Cole as recording the best version of “Route 66”

Trump’s order to review national monuments ultimately may not mean much

President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order to review the designation of about two dozen national monuments since 1996, including the new Mojave Trails National Monument along Route 66 in Southern California. However, the order may not be as grave as environmentalists and Route 66ers fear. The president said he wanted to overturn … Continue reading Trump’s order to review national monuments ultimately may not mean much

Chuck Berry, R.I.P.

Word came over Saturday afternoon that Chuck Berry, the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll, died at his home near Wentzville, Missouri, west of St. Louis, at age 90. Local authorities didn’t give a cause of death, but Chuck’s son said his father had ailed from pneumonia in recent weeks. Berry was best-known writing and performing … Continue reading Chuck Berry, R.I.P.